FULHAM winger Ademola Lookman paid a touching tribute to Papa Bouba Diop after scoring in their 2-1 win at Leicester.
Lookman put the Cottagers 1-0 up at the King Power and produced a shirt dedicated to the former Fulham man who died Sunday aged 42.
Ademola Lookman paid tribute to Papa Bouba Diop after his goal at Leicester
The former Fulham midfielder died on SundayCredit: Rex Features
The midfielder played for Fulham for three years between 2004 and 2007.
Diop – or ‘The Wardrobe’ as he was nicknamed – was a fans’ favourite at Craven Cottage.
And both teams paid tribute to the former Senegal international before the game as his image was shown on the big screens at the King Power.
Diop also played for West Ham, Portsmouth and Birmingham during his time in England and Lookman’s tribute would have resonated with fans across the country.
His right-footed strike gave Scott Parker’s side the lead after half an hour.
And after the goal went in, he ran straight to the touchline and held aloft a Senegal shirt with Diop’s No 19 on the back.
Diop was a crucial part of Harry Redknapp’s Pompey side that famously won the FA Cup in 2008.
He also helped West Ham to promotion via the play-offs in 2012.
Both teams paid tribute to the former midfielder before the gameCredit: AP:Associated Press
Lookman put Fulham 1-0 up at LeicesterCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
And he was part of the Senegal side that shocked world champions France in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup.
He scored the only goal in the 1-0 win, which still ranks as one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.
He won 63 international caps and retired from the game in 2013.
Yesterday, Diop’s former manager Chris Coleman led the tributes.
Ex-Cottagers boss Coleman brought Diop to English football from Lens in 2004 and told SunSport: “I’m gutted to hear the news. It’s so sad.
“Papa was one of my favourite players I’ve worked with. He did a great job for me at Fulham but, more importantly, he was a lovely person.
“He had time for everyone and treated people with respect.
“It’s truly a sad loss.”
Paul Scholes names The Wardrobe as one of his toughest ever opponents
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
